Read the general professional work overview
A fixed-term professional offer may be genuine while a required qualification is still pending. Organize the appointment and educational evidence so the reviewer can distinguish what already exists from what the institution expects to happen.
Ask the awarding institution a precise question
Hypothetical example: an applicant has completed coursework but the final award remains under review. Request the institution’s actual account of the credential status and dates. Do not substitute an expected ceremony for proof that the required qualification has been earned, or present a conditional letter as unconditional.
Connect that record to the correct profession
The actual appointment must fit a listed TN profession and its prescribed qualifications or permitted alternatives. Canadian or Mexican citizenship is a separate requirement. A degree from an institution outside Canada, Mexico and the United States requires a reliable evaluation. Any US professional practice licence is a separate question; neither an evaluation nor a fixed contract term resolves all eligibility conditions.
Show the employer what remains unresolved
Identify whether the missing item is a document confirming an existing fact or a qualification that has not yet been achieved. Those situations call for different planning. Keep the proposed temporary work, actual employment and ownership arrangement available for review. Begin only activities permitted by the authorization actually obtained, not merely by the university’s calendar. Providing services to a US entity solely owned or controlled by the applicant is prohibited TN self-employment; an interest in a foreign business alone is not the same prohibition.
What else is on your mind?
Is a matching job title enough for TN?Can years of experience replace a degree for TN?Can my own U.S. company employ me under TN?Can my spouse work if I hold TN status?Editorial source review: 2026-09-08. General preparation guidance, not an individual assessment.